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ON-LINE MAGAZINE JULY 2017

INTERNATIONAL TUG OF WAR SPORT NEWS EDITOR: Maaike Hornstra [email protected] TWIF HEADQUARTERS: PO Box 77, Orfordville, WI 53576-0077 USA [email protected]

FOREWORD IS A MEMBER OF has been involved in the IWGA TWIF (International Association) right from the start of the organization in 1980. Two previous Presidents of TWIF, Fugi Fuchs as Vice-President and Co Koren as Secretary General, served on the Executive Committee of the IWGA over the years.

For Tug of War, participation in The World Games (TWG) programme remains the apex and most prestigious event for our sport. With only the top six countries in each weight class who Anton Rabe. qualify every four years, it is indeed an achievement just to be there. We are really very proud that Tug of War has been on the TWG programme since 1981 with the first edition of TWG in Santa Clara, USA.

With this 10th Games in Wroclaw, Poland, TWIF will again participate in 3 events namely 540 kg Women Indoor, as well as 640 kg and 700 kg for Men Outdoor.

My best wishes to all the participating teams and officials. May you again make us proud and showcase our sport with discipline, appearance, presentation and quality of our athletes at the highest level for which our beloved sport is renowned for globally. For those ending up with the gold medals, it remains the achievement in our sport.

Travel safely. See you all soon in Wroclaw. ANTON RABE President TWIF

MISSION STATEMENT Tug of War in the World Games As an International Federation our mission is to provide the structure and good In a few weeks the 10th World Games will start in Wroclaw, Poland. governance necessary for the well-being Tug of War has been on the programme every time. and development of the sport of Tug of War throughout the world. participated in all Games in various roles; as national delegation leader, President of TWIF and as Secretary General of the International World Games Association. Our Primary Objective is to attain I Each event had its own flavour and it is difficult to select the finest memories from a sufficiently high level of excellence and those thirty six years. universality to expedite our acceptance by the International Olympic Committee I probably cherish my memories of the first World as a sport within the programme of the Games most. The World Games organization was still in , a status held by our sport its infancy and the event had hardly any media attention, in the early years of the 20th century. even the people in Santa Clara did not know that the World Games were being staged in the city. Despite these PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

negative elements, the recollection of the participants of Santa Clara are happy ones. Being hosted CO KOREN in the campus of the Santa Clara University with all sports together and for the full period of the Honorary Life President games, gave a kind of ‘Olympic village’ feeling. Tug of War was the first sport on the programme, of TWIF, Honorary Vice so after the Tug of War competitions were finished, the pullers could fully enjoy the World President of the IWGA Games as spectators. They visited numerous other sports events and cheered for athletes from and Chairman Evaluation their countries. The day before the opening, Glen Johnson (then secretary of the USTOWA) Committe IWGA. and myself were with the local carpenter, explaining how the scoreboard should be constructed. Just nearby the university campus is a student pub, the ‘Wooden Nickel’, which was the meeting place for the athletes that had completed their competition. For most pullers, it was their first trip to the USA and we had to learn the local habits. Ordering beer by ‘pitchers’ was one of them. But the feeling of togetherness was great - the whole pub cheered when an athlete from another sport came in with their freshly won medal. In present World Games events, that same emotion is felt at the central catering hall when a team, that has just won a medal, comes in and is cheered by fellow athletes.

The current World Games events is much bigger than in Santa Clara. The TWIF teams will certainly remember the huge crowds at the World Games Plaza in Kaohsiung cheering the medal winners. Tug of War started in the World Games with two weigthclasses in Outdoor- The Officials at Santa Clara in 1981: Men. As Tug of War is a , any additional weigh class is a Front row: TWIF Judges: Glen Johnson - USA, Henk substantial increase in number of participants. The Indoor Women Niewenhuis - Netherlands, Peter Baker - . participated in the demonstration programme of three consecutive Back row: Fugi Fuchs (President TWIF) Judge Hylding Reid World Games events, before they were included in the competition - Sweden, Judge Tony de Haan - Netherlands, Judge Stig programmes. However, I know that they enjoyed the World Games in Carlson - Sweden, Chief Judge Albert Sabin - England. these demonstration programmes as well.

The competition in the Akita Sky Dome with the huge spectator crowd will certainly be remembered. The first big media attention with spectator crowds started in Duisburg 2005 (See pic left). All tickets were sold out for the Tug of War event at the Dreieckwiese and even after the organizers printed extra tickets, in the end they even allowed spectators in without a ticket as the crowd was pushing at the gate.

As the objective of World Games was, and is, to create media attention for the sports on the programme, the IWGA focuses on national CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

PAGE 2 and international television coverage. The technology for media coverage however has drastically changed since the start of World Games. The technology for media distribution has reached the stage where most of the video images are no longer distributed via TV channels, but through streaming media. Both the World Games and the Olympic Games explore their own streaming media channel. In this case, the World Games has led the way, as they were the first to operate ‘The World Games Channel’. It’s funny to see that the first World Games 1981 was staged in ‘Silicon Valley’, the cradle of media technology, with Santa Clara in the centre. Students from Santa Clara University (who had their beers in the Wooden Nickel) are Most probably now employed by Apple, Oracle, Intel or another major company in the area, providing the technology to stream video images of the World Games that had started in Santa Clara.

THE FIRST WORLD GAMES SANTA CLARA CALIFORNIA USA 1981 (World Game I)

The TWIF Executive were: Fugi Fuchs from - President, Co Koren from the Netherlands - Vice President, George Hutton from England - Chairman, Eric Shorthouse from Wales - Secretary, Tommy Elmore from - Treasurer.

ug of War was one of the original sports for the World Games. Co Koren and I arrived GLEN JOHNSON early to find that nothing had been arranged for the Tug of War. Co was a member Secretary General T of the Technical Commission and I was just a TWIF Judge at that time. The two of us made TWIF arrangements to have a score board built and laid out the field of competition. This was an exciting time for Tug of War as it was the first time since being organized that the Tug of War sport would be part of a multi-sport event.

The competition field was not good at all, as we discovered that there was newly laid sod over beach sand and it rolled up like carpeting. The anchors for each team could not back up as the holes were too deep. After that experience, TWIF decided to formulate ground specifications and to inspect each site for future championships.

The publicity for the games was non-existent. No one outside of Santa Clara knew anything of the Games. TWIF had arranged judge’s uniforms that arrived very late and the Dutch ladies sewed the TWIF badges on the uniforms just prior to the competition.

Overall it was a good time for Tug of War as it gave us a taste of what could happen in the future. The World Games indeed has progressed and has become a very professional and well -organized event that we as TWIF should be very proud to be a part of.

ANECDOTES FROM SANTA CLARA

MARLEEN KOREN hen the first World Games was organized in Santa Clara in 1981, everything was new The Netherlands Wfor the Tug of War sport (and all the other sports). Co and Marleen Koren drove to France to pick up uniforms that were left over from the officials of the Olympic Games that were held in France in 1980. They were of course, not the right sizes, so all the uniforms had to be made to fit. Marleen and other lady supporters sat in the heat beside the swimming pool next to the hotel to do all the sewing. With a lot of effort and creativity they made trousers and sleeves of jackets shorter or longer! Sewing the TWIF badges CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

PAGE 3 onto the uniforms was the hardest part. By the end of the day the ladies were sunburned but the work was done. At the opening of the World Games on the 24th of July 1981, the TWIF officials looked very handsome and dignified, but it was better not to look too close to their clothes!

There were hardly any people in the arena during the Tug of War event and it was all new - a big difference to the last three World Games that had perfect organization and proper clothes for the officials. Although in Colombia, South American sizes did not agree with the sizes we are used to, so a lot of the clothes did not fit most of the officials.

In four years the World Games will be back in USA, in the city Birmingham in the State Alabama. I think it will be a different story, and I am sure not going to alter uniforms again!

LEGENDS OF THE ROPE

I was asked to write a piece on a member of Boley TOW Club, James Kehoe. One of 10 brothers all of whom have dedicated their lives to the joy, success and the love of one of our oldest sports, Tug of War.

MARTINA own through the years Boley members have lined out on the rope representing Ireland O’FARRELL Dand James has competed in all nine World Games from 1981-2013; the only person in the Secretary Boley world to do so. In 1981, at the first World Games in Santa Clara, California, James was a member T.O.W. of the team which took 4th place, but this was only the beginning and great successes followed in subsequence years. In 1985 the Games were hosted by our neighbours and medals were fought for in London; once again James placed his hands of steel upon the rope where he and his team mates proudly won two gold medals. In 1989 the Games took place in Karlsruhe, Germany, where again James and his team did not disappoint bringing home one silver and one bronze medal. In1993, in The Hague, Medals from the Netherlands he was on the team that won one silver and one bronze; in 1997 Lahti, Finland two World Games. bronze; in 2001 Akita they took 4th place; in 2005 Duisburg, Germany one bronze and in 2009 Kaohsiung Chinese , Ireland took part but did not win any medals. In 2013 in Cali, Colombia they took 4th place and 2017 is yet to be completed - so who knows?

Through young eyes I watched James and his extended family compete locally in our beloved Co Wexford. James, your country men and women are very proud of your outstanding success. Now years later I am privileged to be part of Boley TOW Club, where I wish to help in some small way.

Now with older eyes I see a great sportsman with a generous heart, a marvellous work ethic, hands of iron, and above all this, a steely determination!

PAGE 4 ARTICLE FROM THE TWIF MAGAZINE '50 years ropes and globes' Founding of the World Games Every sport is governed by its own International Federation (IF), however the overall control of international sport in the sixties was in the hands of the IOC. Some sports wanted a stronger role for the IF's in the evolution of international sport, therefore several IF's met regularly to exchange their views on international sports development.

he creation of a stable organization ensuring good relations between IF's, Olympic or not Tand regardless of their status, would be a logical consequence to these informal meetings. Also the meetings with the IF's with the IOC could thus be better supported. The initiative of these IF's materialized in 1967 with the foundation of GAISF, the assemby for both IF's of Olympic and non-.

In particular the non-Olympic Federations, now had a forum to express their point of view. Many of these non-Olympic sports had the desire to be included in the Olympic programme, however through the discussion with the IOC they realized that it would not be possible for all of them to be included.

Consequently they looked for other options where they could expose their sport in a multi-sport event. Taekwondo was one of these non-Olympic sports and in 1980 its President Dr. Un Yung Kim, invited twelve IF's to meet in Seoul.

This meeting became the inaugural meeting of the World Games, a platform for sports that did not have the global exposure of the Olympic sports. These twelve Federations, including the Tug of War International Federation TWIF, joined forces to form the World Games Council, later renamed International World Games Association (IWGA).

Scoreboard in Santa Clara. From the start of the IWGA in 1980, TWIF has been involved in the organization of the World Games. TWIF President Fugi Fuchs, was Vice President of the World Games till his death in 1983. Former TWIF President Co Koren was member of the Financial Committee from 1981 until 1989 when he became Secretary General of the IWGA, a position he kept until his retirement in 2010.

For the Tug of War sport, the World Games is the highest and most prestigious event. Only the top six countries qualify for participation. Tug of War has been on the programme of all World Games, since the first World Games in 1981 in Santa Clara, USA. Starting with only the outdoor disciplines with only Men's teams, Tug of War currently participates with Outdoor for the Men and Indoor for the Women.

Since 1981 with the start of the World Games in Santa Clara, the others were in London (GBR) in 1985, Karlsruhe (GER) in 1989, The Hague (NETH) in 1993, Lathi (FIN) 1997, Akita (JAP) 2001, Duisburg (GER) 2005, Kaohsiung (TPE) 2009 and Cali (COL) 2013. Now our teams are preparing for the next edition in Wroclaw (POL).

PAGE 5 TWO NEW RECORDS AT THE WORLD GAMES 2017 And that’s before we even start!

THE thletes from 111 countries will compete at The World Games 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland INTERNATIONAL Athis summer. This is 8 countries more than in 2013 in Cali, Colombia, and the most WORLD GAMES countries ever at The World Games. In 2009 in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, the participants ASSOCIATION came from 84 countries, which was a new record at that time. In 2013 the number grew to 103. (IWGA) Amongst the countries that were not in Cali in 2013 but will attend the Games in Wroclaw this year are Bahrain (taking part in Ju-Jitsu), British Virgin Islands (), Saudi Arabia (), Laos (), Tajikistan () and Turkmenistan (Ju-Jitsu).

A new record is also being set in the number of countries contracted to receive TWG TV broadcasts. “I am delighted in the global interest in The World Games that we are seeing. The World Games 2017 broadcasts will reach a record number of countries, and the participants will come from more countries than ever before. It will be great to see them all in Wroclaw in July”, IWGA

THE 10TH EDITION OF The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World THE WORLD GAMES Games Association under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. Around 4,000 WILL BE HELD IN athletes from 31 sports and 111 countries will take part in the Games. The Olympic Channel WROCLAW, POLAND will broadcast The World Games on a 24/7 channel, and agreements to broadcast the Games 20 - 30 JULY 2017 have so far been made with many countries, including Germany and China.

ADDICTIVE TO TUG OF WAR

erben and Jolanda Jansen-Vergeer have both been active in Tug of War for a long Gtime. The sport brought them together and they have two sons. Gerben earned his first gold medal in 1999 on International level at the European Championship in Slagharen, Netherlands. This was the first in a row of many gold medals. Gerben participated in the World Games for the first time in 2001, Akita Japan. With his team he won a gold medal in the 680 kg class.

Also at the following World Games in Duisburg, 2005 and Kaohsiung Chinese Taipei 2009, he won gold with his team in the 680 kg class. At the last World Games in Cali, Colombia 2013, he won another gold, but in the weightclass 700 kg. On the coming World Games in Wroclaw, Gerben hopes to win his first medal in the 640 kg class.

Jolanda has also won a lot of medals in Tug of War. Her first gold medal was in 1998 at the World Championship in Rochester, USA. After that first one, Jolanda won a lot of gold medals in European or World Championships, both Indoor and Outdoor. She made her first appearance at the World Games in Duisburg, 2005, where for the ladies it was the first time it was an official competition instead of just being a demonstration sport. In the Ladies 520 kg she won a bronze medal.

At her second World Games in Cali, Colombia 2013, she won a silver medal with the 540 kg Team. Jolanda has a goal for Wroclaw: she hopes to end on the podium again.

Both Gerben and Jolanda are training hard. That they can do this as a Gerben and Jolanda Jansen-Vergeer couple in different disciplines makes it worth more and they are proud to from the Netherlands. pull in the orange colours!

PAGE 6 SWEDEN PREPARING FOR THE WORLD GAMES

Daniel Eriksson is a trainer of Brunnsberg IF and the national team in Sweden. Together with sports director Mats Atterheim, he is taking Sweden's team to the World Games.

KATARINA aniel started with Tug of War in 2000 and has been involved since then. He has been the NYLUN Dtrainer for Brunnsberg's for about 10 years, and he has been the national team trainer Sweden for the first time in 2012. On the question, which is his strongest memory from all years of the Tug of War, he has difficulties to choose. "But if I have to choose, I would say the Swedish Championship final in the M700 in 2013. That memory is strong, when we won the finals we did something that we thought would not really be possible”.

Why has Brunnsberg got the most persons in the Swedish World Games squad? We have managed to keep nearly the same team for about 10 years during which we have trained, competed and had fun together. Our team is technically and physically strong - and pulls correctly. We have a strong mind, we are all winners.

What is Brunnsberg doing to be Sweden's best club today? We have a functional organization and board, as well as many members and volunteers to help. We have found a way to share responsibility for the training so that it does not ‘fall and fall’ on one person. Many take responsibility for different areas of the club and we simply help each other. In addition, we always have a lot of fun which is important. We also have a good range of active pullers, ladies, gentlemen, juniors, youths, veterans - everybody is welcome. Perhaps it's just the mix that

Mats and Daniel - Sweden. makes us feel so good. We also feel that the village highlights the club as something they are proud of so it feels like we get a lot of support.

How did you approach the lead up to World Games? The dream of the World Games has been in our minds for several years as none of the our pullers have ever been there. The upload has begun with an analysis of the grounds and experience from the World Championships in Malmö. There we got a good ‘take’ on the nature of the soft ground, and the analysis is that it will be about the same type of ground for the World Games. So from that we have put up the training and found a layout that fits our pulling style.

What are Sweden's goals in the World Games? The goal is a medal. I know that we have a good team and that we have worked well, but at the same time it is an exciting feeling as we do not know what the other countries are doing in their teams. We are looking forward to a fun competition.

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